Q:
A:
Privacy to be guaranteed by adoption of law on protection of personal information
Belgrade,
27 November 2007
Serbian Minister of Justice Dusan Petrovic said today that the law on protection of personal information will be adopted as soon as possible, which will guarantee the right to privacy in accordance with requirements for removal of visa restrictions and European standards.
Author:
Fonet
At a public debate on the draft law on protection of personal information held by the Justice Ministry, the Secretariat for the Implementation of the Judiciary Reform Strategy, the Judiciary Centre and the Fund for Open Society, Petrovic said that it is important to adopt this law soon because this is one of the key documents which Serbia needs to move forward towards inclusion in the White Schengen List and removal of visa restrictions.
The Minister explained that essentially the law protects privacy and regulates the manner in which important personal information could be made available to foreign states or international organisations, which is important for communication concerning the customs regime, above all in relation to EU countries.
According to Petrovic, the law obliges the state, as well as legal and physical persons, such as banks, insurance companies, the Interior Ministry and other institutions which deal with collection of personal information to protect personal information registered in personal dossiers, health institutions and hospitals.
Petrovic expressed expectation that by the end of 2008 laws on classification of information in intelligence agencies will also be adopted, and a legal framework for protection of privacy on an institutional level will be created.
There is a great need to protect privacy, and to specify which kind of information may be obtained without consent, the manner in which this information could be reached and when the state is allowed to use this instrument, said the Minister.
He added that protection of citizens’ rights will entrusted to a trustee for information of public importance, and court protection would be possible as well.
Petrovic explained that constitutional appeal is the ultimate instrument in protection of rights, and violation of these rights will be considered misdemeanour or crime depending on the gravity of the offence, incurring suitable penalties.
The Minister explained that essentially the law protects privacy and regulates the manner in which important personal information could be made available to foreign states or international organisations, which is important for communication concerning the customs regime, above all in relation to EU countries.
According to Petrovic, the law obliges the state, as well as legal and physical persons, such as banks, insurance companies, the Interior Ministry and other institutions which deal with collection of personal information to protect personal information registered in personal dossiers, health institutions and hospitals.
Petrovic expressed expectation that by the end of 2008 laws on classification of information in intelligence agencies will also be adopted, and a legal framework for protection of privacy on an institutional level will be created.
There is a great need to protect privacy, and to specify which kind of information may be obtained without consent, the manner in which this information could be reached and when the state is allowed to use this instrument, said the Minister.
He added that protection of citizens’ rights will entrusted to a trustee for information of public importance, and court protection would be possible as well.
Petrovic explained that constitutional appeal is the ultimate instrument in protection of rights, and violation of these rights will be considered misdemeanour or crime depending on the gravity of the offence, incurring suitable penalties.
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